Getting Through February

February is not my favorite month of the year, although I do like it better than January.With February the promise of Spring is that much closer. I know, we have almost another official month of winter, but around here the snow is gone and it's not really that cold out any more. Still hovering around freezing in the morning sometimes, but still, it could be worse!

So, what's gotten me through February, a month that finds me mostly indoors sipping coffee (one cup a day usually-- I really do sip!) whittling away at portfolios, and dreaming of warmer days?

A trip to the coast! We celebrated my mother in law's 86th birthday together with a slew of family. A great weekend.

This little guy. He is my companion. He is a blessing in my life. He makes me laugh. He gets me off my chair,  taking little breaks throughout the day. He sleeps quietly as I work. And he's always over-the-moon happy to see me when I return home from outings. Talk about an esteem booster! No, I'm not talking about my hubby although he does fit the bill in some ways!haha!

Books!  I've got a few on the go. Just finished Someday Someday Maybe by Lauren Graham. I saw it recommended on Goodreads and decided to finally read it. A twenty something tries to make it as an actress in New York. A cute, funny quick read with some great characters.
I'm also reading In the Land of the Blue Burquas by Kate McCord. It was written before Farewell, Four Waters, which I just finished a few weeks ago. But I don't think it really matters that I'm reading in reverse order. It's giving me more insight into the culture in Afghanistan, and the life of a foreign aid worker. Fascinating.
I am half way through The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown. Three adult sisters converge on their home town to visit their mother who is battling cancer. All about family relationships, importance of home, growing up, and figuring out life. The title refers to Shakespeare and the father quotes Shakespeare all the time (his daughters are named after characters) and all members of the family are book nerds. I wasn't sure I was going to like this book, but it's grown on me. It's my bedtime read.

Spotify. I listen to music all. day. long. sometimes. Music to reflect my mood or to get me out of my mood! Or to motivate me to work.
Classical, contemplative, meditative, acoustic, counry, jazz, pop. Adele, Andy Grammar, Andra Day, All Sons and Daughters, Rend Collective, The Brilliance. etc etc.  If you're looking for some new music, check out Spotify. It's free and it recommends music based on what you like, so there is always something new to explore. 

Podcasts. I've added a few more to my list. Don't listen to every
episode but sure do enjoy them. I find the ones that are about 30 minutes in length are just about right. Any longer, and I skip them because I don't always have one hour to listen.  A few others I enjoy: The Essential Oil Revolution, Spark My Muse, Katy Says with Katy Bowman

Knitting. Been enjoying knitting a comfort shawl and socks this winter. And some bibs and dish cloths. Just small items but it's great to have something on the needles when I feel the urge to create something tangible. And they make great little gifts to give away.

Netflix. My hubby and I try to find something we both like to watch together one or two nights a week. We are not always successful. We did watch Making a Murderer together and I have to say we were sucked right into the drama of that documentary. Truth and justice and the miscarriage of it. Who knows what the the truth is when people lie through their teeth? Yes, it was a pretty biased documentary, but we had some good discussion while watching that. Still confused about what really happened. It was hard to watch at times, just seeing the depravity and awful lives some people live. Sad. I couldn't watch too many shows like this, that's for sure. We binge watched it for about 2 weeks.  I think I prefer fiction! He likes shows with zombies or war  and I would rather watch an episode of Downton Abbey or Mr Selfridge, but the verdict is still out on the latter. Haven't continued for a few weeks. Sometimes we watch  an episode of  the murder mystery Death in Paradise. It's good!  I'm waiting for Nashville Season 4 to come to Netflix. And looking foward to watching the next season of The Voice (on the CTVgo App) . Got any recommendations for must-see TV shows on Netflix?

Planet Woman - got a membership for one month because my kids encouraged me to sign up for a 5km trail run at the end of March, and how am I going to be able to do that if I don't grow my muscles and my cardio?! Don't always want to go but always glad when I do. Except when I'm sore afterwards. And recovery takes longer than it used to! Soon I must transition my workouts to the outdoors..actually running 5 km!! Doesn't sound like much except if you haven't done it in a while! I'm a little bit concerned... but --as my daughter in law mentioned "There's no shame in walking". I'll try to embrace that thought.

and finally...

Z is for Zumba. Imagine doing Zumba with a band of church ladies aged 19-50-something? To hip hop music? Imagine the fun and comeraderie. Yes, it brings some much needed levity to my Wednesdays. We don't do the moves very well at all, but it's good for a laugh, it's a workout, and it's a way to connect with those I mostly just see at church happenings.

What got you through February?

signs of life in the dead of winter

Half way through January already!??

*techy (or rather non-techy) alert: pictures didn't appear earlier.. hope they show up now. 

I'm slowly slipping back into daily routines. Still finding it hard to jump out of bed with wide eyes and a spring in my step.  Winter makes one so hibernative (I think I made that up), doesn't it? I simply want to stay home and unsubscribe to all of my outside obligations at times. But, I know that that would not be a healthy decision! Once I get out there, it's all good.

Sometimes I do wonder why we live where we do. Last weekend, the mountain passes were clear, so we took a quick 3 1/2 hour trip down to the coast. It was so wonderful! I felt like we had just bypassed a season and waltzed into early Spring! Sunshine and no snow!

winter where my sister lives 

winter where we live 

Speaking of unsubscribing, today I checked out this very interesting site called unroll.me which helps clean up your inbox by managing subscriptions. It's a simple way to unsubscribe, keep, or send to 'rollup' (which sends you ONE email a day with any updates on those).  Am I the only one who is a subscription junkie? 

Which leads to a very full inbox. Overwhelmingly so. I had over 100 subscriptions (newsletters & blogs) between my 2 email addresses (that's besides my bloglovin' subscriptions). I know. I think I'm down to about 40 now.

Whittling down the reading list is going well. But the day AFTER I blogged about not purchasing any new books this year, I received a very generous Amazon gift card in the mail from my dear friend (who knew nothing about my challenge). Yes, it's true!! But I am holding off. This past week I was so close to purchasing a book to read along with an online book club, but I steeled my resolve and inquired if the local library could obtain it for me.. Win!

Winter is for indoor projects. I am super pleased with the guest bedroom reno we finished in one weekend. Mr. Handyman worked on the floors, and I painted walls and refinished old furniture.

out with the old carpet,
in with the new laminate

ready for a vintage-y look

guest room ready for company!

 And some Me Time has led to..

 Experienced a mild second-sock-syndrome-- weeks--
-- nothing as serious as last time!

wintergreen dishcloth

adding to the gift box- for the next wee baby girl I meet

Being hibernative doesn't mean being unproductive, right?

Hope you are enjoying the season you are in right now!

Oh, and I can't sign off without giving a Happy Birthday!!! shout out to my dear adventurous daughter who is trekking in the country of Myanmar (Burma) at this very moment! 

When I'm not working...

Finally! I have finished knitting the pair of socks which took me over a year (they were mostly sitting in my knitting basket, biding their time). Funny how letting things be sometimes is the best idea when one is frustrated. I was able to fix my mistake without pulling my hair out or frogging the entire sock, AND I combined two very thin blue fingering weight yarns to knit matching toes for these socks. Yes, this meant I had to undo the first sock's toe and use the new yarns, but the color combination looks just fine to me.  These are thicker, comfy socks and will be great for cooler days. 

Almost done, but running out of yarn! 

Done and pleased with the results

 And now the knitting bug has been biting again.. small projects are my favorite right now. Something I can pick up easily when I'm watching a program on Netflix or on my CTVgo App. And a welcome change from the fingers tap-tap-tapping on the keyboard.

A new pair of socks forming here (these have cotton in them, so they'll be good for warmer weather). I've given myself plenty of time to finish them! Actually, things are moving along quite quickly. I had this yarn in my stash, so I thought it best to use this up before I buy more.

ONline sock yarn - love the color!

The Prince is not pleased with his new cardigan. He just sits and sulks when I put it on him. Hope he gets over that! When temperatures get even cooler, maybe he will welcome it. But I doubt it. 

It's a Knitterly Kind of Day

 I think Enzo feels the same way. It's the kind of day to stay snug, dry, warm and hunkered down. (In full view of one's person, if at all possible.)

Although I did get out for a quick lunch with a friend (to maintain one's sanity), I have mostly been indoors (working), looking out. It's wet, cool, and grey. Didn't even take The Prince for a walk today.

 I'm looking forward to finishing up these socks, hopefully tonight. I've suffered greatly from SSS with this project.. Second Sock Syndrome is a real thing, you know! And as I picked up this project last week again after a very.long.time (a year?), I remembered why I had dropped it from my to do list. I had made a mistake in the pattern at some point, leaving it one stitch short,  and promptly ignored the socks out of frustration. As well, I realized there was a very good chance I would run out of yarn before the final toe was completed. And I still think that might happen. BUT, this brain has a plan. You'll have to wait and see what that plan is. You see, I don't have any more yarn to add to these socks and I have lost the label and forgotten the name of the yarn. Oh dear, you organized knitters out there must be tsking and shaking your heads collectively right about now. Confession: I am not as organized as I used to be. But, all is not lost. I am determined to complete these socks.
And since today is a knitterly kind of day... I hope to work on that tonight.